World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2025, Revolutionizing health and safety: the role of AI and digitalization at work.
- Patricia Guillen
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Why We Celebrate World Day for Safety and Health at Work
Every year on April 28, the world comes together to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases. This global event, led by the International Labour Organization (ILO), encourages governments, companies, unions, and workers to engage in dialogue and action to ensure safe and healthy working environments for all.
In 2025, the focus is on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital tools are transforming the way we approach workplace safety and occupational health.
The Rise of AI and Digitalization in Workplace Safety
As Industry 4.0 technologies rapidly advance, companies are more frequently integrating AI, robotics, digital monitoring systems, and wearables to mitigate risks and enhance working conditions.
Key Technologies Revolutionizing OSH:
AI-Powered Risk Assessment: Systems that detect patterns and predict hazards before incidents occur.
Wearable Devices: Monitor worker vitals, posture, or location to prevent fatigue and overexertion.
Virtual Reality (VR): Used for immersive safety training in high-risk environments.
Digital Reporting Tools: Help companies track incidents and near-misses more accurately and in real time.
These technologies support the elimination and minimization of hazards, especially in high-risk industries like construction, mining, logistics, and healthcare.
Challenges and Opportunities
While AI and digitalization offer immense potential, there are challenges to consider:
Opportunities:
Faster hazard identification.
Real-time decision-making.
Greater worker engagement and safety culture.
Challenges:
Ethical use of worker data.
Inequality in access to new technologies.
The need for digital literacy and training.
The ILO emphasizes that innovation must go hand-in-hand with human-centered values, transparency, and worker participation.
The Role of Employers and Safety Professionals
As safety professionals, we must adapt and lead in integrating technology into our occupational safety and health (OSH) strategies.
Action Steps:
Train teams in the use of new technologies.
Review your organization’s digital readiness for OSH.
Make a budget and invest in new technology.
Include workers in conversations about data privacy and tech adoption.
Evaluate tools not just for their novelty, but for their real impact on risk reduction.
Remember: Technology should empower, not replace, the human element in safety.
5 Inspiring Examples of AI in Workplace Safety and Health
Incorporating AI into workplace safety and health management systems has resulted in significant innovations. Below are five examples of startups and practices that are making an impact:
Everguard.ai based in Irvine, California, Everguard.ai uses AI, computer vision, and sensor fusion to predict and prevent workplace injuries. Their SENTRI360 platform has been successfully implemented in steel-heavy manufacturing industries, reducing accidents and operational downtimes.
StrongArm Technologies. This startup focuses on wearable devices that monitor workers' movements and provide real-time feedback to prevent injuries. Their AI-driven platform analyzes data to identify high-risk activities and improve workplace ergonomics.
Intenseye: This startup utilizes AI-driven cameras to oversee compliance with workplace safety standards. Their system is capable of identifying unsafe actions, like failing to wear protective equipment, and promptly notifying supervisors.
Guardhat: Guardhat combines AI with smart helmets to enhance worker safety in hazardous environments. These helmets can monitor environmental conditions, detect falls, and provide real-time communication with safety teams.
Predictive Analytics in Manufacturing: Many manufacturing companies are adopting AI-driven predictive analytics tools to monitor machinery and predict failures before they occur. This proactive approach minimizes accidents and ensures a safer working environment.
AI for the construction sector:
One notable example is Smartvid.io, which uses computer vision and AI to analyze images and videos from construction sites. It helps detect safety hazards, such as workers not wearing proper gear or unsafe working conditions, in real time. This proactive approach ensures compliance with safety protocols and reduces risks.
Another option is OpenSpace, which employs AI and 360-degree cameras to capture and analyze construction site images. It identifies potential safety issues and tracks changes over time, providing valuable insights for improving site safety
Peru and Latin America: A Call to Action
In Peru, where many sectors such as construction, agriculture, and manufacturing still face high injury rates, the integration of technology into OSH is both a challenge and an opportunity.
We understand that it involves an investment and requires a budget, but technology is designed to simplify our lives, and we should take advantage of it. Let's learn all the positive aspects from the most advanced countries.
Peruvian Safety Law 29783 and DS 005-2012-TR emphasize the employer's responsibility to ensure a safe and healthy workplace. Adding smart tools to your management system can significantly improve compliance and safety performance.
Let’s use this day to reflect and renew our commitment to preventing occupational accidents and building a safety culture supported by innovation.
Join the Global Conversation
The ILO will host a live global event on April 28, 2025, at 13:30 (GMT), featuring experts and stakeholders discussing the impact of digital transformation on workplace safety. This event is free and accessible in multiple languages, including English, French, and Spanish.
Here is the link to the ILO event
(Monday, April 28, 1:30 p.m. CEST from Geneva, 6:30 a.m. Peru, 7:30 a.m EST Miami)
Conclusion
World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2025 is a day to reflect and take action in investing in new technology, in training, and in developing modern and efficient systems.
It is time to take advantage of all the benefits of AI in an ethical way, and always put workers first.
AI helps us to be more efficient in our work, but it does not replace us as human beings.
Here you can download the promotional material for World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2025 from the ILO.
Let’s #AccelerateAction, embrace digital transformation, and work together for a safer, smarter future.
At Safety Academy PG, we work passionately for a safe, healthy, and accessible workplace.
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